Container structure



Jan. 17, 1961 v E. APPELT 2,968,394

CONTAINER STRUCTURE Filed March 10, 1958 INVENTOR. EDNA APPELT' M ywm ATTORNEY My invention relates to a container structure, and more particularly to a type of container that may be clamped to a medicine bottle or the like for the support thereof.

There are many instances wherein it is necessary to carry a small bottle on ones person as, for example,

bottles containing medicine which must be taken at' regular predetermined times throughout the day. Often, such medicines are in liquid form, and therefore it is necessary that a spoon be available in order to measure the prescribed dosage. It is undesirable to have a medicine bottle, a measuring spoon, cloths. or swabs to clean the same, etc. loose in ones pocket or purse for not only is it unsanitary, but also obvious and unsightly and therefore frequently embarrassing. Furthermore, glass bottles are easily broken, and particular care must be taken thereof to avoid such an occurrence.

So far as is known, no suitable container structure is available for transporting medicine bottles and the like together with implements and materials for use therewith. Consequently, an object of this invention is in the provision of a container adapted to receive and support medicine bottles and the like therein together with a spoon or other implements useful in measuring and taking medicine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a container structure equipped with a reversible clamp employed for selectively supporting a bottle either inside or outside of the container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp equipped container or enclosure that has a smooth surface on its exterior when a bottle is clamped therewithin, making it more convenient when transporting the entire unit in a handbag, coat pocket, etc.

Still another object of my invention is in providing a container for normally enclosing and supporting a medicine bottle or the like therein, and having means for attaching such bottle to the outside of the container when the bottle is in use, and further being adapted for receiving and supporting a spoon or other implement there in useful in dispensing measured quantities of'the medicine.

Yet a further object is that of providing a container equipped with a reversible clamp removably carried by the container for gripping a bottle to support the same either interiorly or exteriorly of the container, and in which the clamp has a flat base that abuts the side of the container and guides the movement of the clamp during removal and replacement thereof on a container.

Still a further object is in the provision of a clamp and container structure of the character described, having a removable top adapted to abut portions of the movable clamp in certain positions thereof and move the clamp to a position which will not interfere with the placement of the top in its closing position.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification develops.

United States Patent C F Patented Jan. 17, 1961 An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a composite perspective illustration of the container, clamp and telescopic cover constituting my invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container in the closed position thereof, as when a bottle is disposed therein;

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, but with the clamp in a position extending outward from the container for attaching a bottle thereto;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container as shown in Figure 3, but with the clamp attached to the neck of a medicine bottle;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container with a bottle rigidly supported therein by means of the clamp;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the container with the clamp extending inward and with the cover of the container removed;

Figure 7 is a top plan view similar to Figure 6, but showing the clip extending outward;

Figure 8 is a top plan view similar to Figure 7, 'but having the clamp supported by means of a modified arrangement comprising a single slot; and

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the clamp or clip.

Referring now to the drawings, the character 10 shows a container or receptacle of rectangular shape equipped with a removable cover 11 for telescopically engaging the open upper end of the container 10. This container may be constructed of opaque, transparent or translucent material, either rigid or pliable. One of the flat surfaces 12 of the container 10 is shown equipped with a pair of elongated, vertically extending slots 13, open at their upper end 14. These slots 13 are shown in spaced, parallel relation defining a tongue 13 therebetween, and may extend downwardly to any predetermined distance. Obviously, a single slot may be employed as shown in the modification of Figure 8, but whether one or two slots are employed, they in no way interfere with the telescopic engagement of the cover 11 onto the open end of the container 10.

In Figure 9 I show a detail of a clip 15, which may be constructed of plastic or metal, having spaced spring legs 15a and 15b designed to encircle the neck of a bottle 16, as shown in Figure 4. The clip 15 is channeled on both sides, as shown at 17 and 17', to accommodate the wall 12 of the container 10 as the sections 18 and 18' of the clip 15 pass through the respective slots 13. The flat section 19 of the clip guides the movement thereof along the wall 12 of the container. Obviously, the clip may be designed to have the sections 18 and 18' thereof pass through a single slotas is the case with the spring clip 15 and wall 12' of the container 10' shown in Figure 8.

From the above description, it will become apparent that the container is designed to have the clip 15 support the bottle 16 while the bottle is on the inside of the enclosure, as shown in Figure 5. By lifting the bottle 16 from the container, the clip 15 will be caused to slide upwardly within the slots 13 and out of the open ends 14 thereof. After the bottle 16 is removed from the container, it may be reversed and the clip 15 reversely inserted into the slots 13 and to thereafter support the bottle 16 on the outside of the container 10. The telescopic cover 11 may be seated over the open end of the container, and is retained thereon by means of frictional contact therewith, whereby a sealed container is provided for enclosing the bottle, a spoon for use therewith, cotton swabs, etc.

The device is extremely simple, economical to manufacture and highly efiicient for the purpose for which it is intended; and obviously, the device described, illustrated and claimed herein is not necessarily limited for use with medicine bottles and spoons, inasmuch as many commodities require special adaptors to be used in conaes iqn herew th and-the ontai d s r b pro i such a means.

thquah; I have. shown; a pa t la ra e ent of omponent- Pa ts n itu n my i e I am lly cognizant of the fact that many changes in the form, shape, contour and configuration of the component parts m y be a e; th n a y: ma n ectin their perativeness, or without departing from the spirit of my nv nt on e. cene: o he mended; claim- I l im:

In combination with a container structure having side and end; walls and a bottom wall together defining an open-top compartment; and having also a removable cover for closing said open-top, one of said' side Walls being provided with. a pair of substantially parallel slots open at their upper. ends and extending downwardly therefrom to define a tongue therebetween, a clamp having spaced apart spring legs respectively receivable within said slots and slidablelongitudinally therealong, said legs at one of their corresponding ends being formed integrally with each other to define a generally flat and enlarged head thereat selectively contiguous between said legs with either the inner or outer surface of said tongue for guiding movement of said legs along said slots and for constraining lateral displacement of said clamp in one direction relative to said tongue as well as for stabilizing said clamp relative to said container, each of said legs being bowed outwardly adjacent said head but spaced therefrom to define with said head a restricted neck providing a recess slidably receiving a marginal edge of the associated slot therein to prevent lateral displacement of said clamp in the other direction, and the other ends of said spring legs being spaced apart for releasably receiving the neck of a bottle therebetween to anchor such bottle to said containof said clamp in accordance with the height of such bottle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Beatty Nov. 18, 1913 Walsh Apr. 11, 1916 Wybaillie Nov. 21, 1916 

